Avalanche poised for a major boost ahead of Canadiens showdown that could reshape their season

Nichushkin has been out since his lower body issue surfaced during the recent win over the Anaheim Ducks. Jared Bednar called him unavailable for the Minnesota trip earlier this week, yet his full practice participation signals real progress and suggests Colorado may only be days away from regaining one of its most important two way forwards.

Malik Brown from Clutch Points writes that the Avalanche managed the past stretch with balanced scoring, but Nichushkin's touch near the net still matters. He holds 309 career points since being drafted tenth overall by the Dallas Stars in 2013, and his north south style fits every Bednar system tweak. Colorado can create chances without him, but their forecheck sharpens when he is available.

A Nichushkin return would also let the coaching staff restore more familiar matchups. His ability to win board battles helps drive controlled exits, and that trait becomes vital against a Canadiens roster built on transition counters.

Some fans worry about rushing him back, yet the clips circulating Wednesday from team reporters showed Nichushkin moving confidently. The mood around practice felt lighter, almost like a group preparing to welcome a core piece home.

Colorado would likely reintegrate him alongside familiar top six partners, although Bednar has not tipped his hand. Nichushkin, now 30 years old, brings defensive reliability that lifts his linemates, and his 28 goals last season still stand as one of the team's quiet anchors. Montreal has struggled to defend the inner slot this year, so his presence could tilt that battle.

This situation also highlights how different the Avalanche feel when their roster approaches full strength. Their 2025 record shows a team capable of long winning stretches, yet they stabilize faster when veterans like Nichushkin manage the heavy shifts. His return is not confirmed, but the trajectory looks far more promising than it did earlier in the week.

The coming days will tell whether optimism turns into a lineup card, but either way, the tone inside Colorado's room reflects belief that help is close.